Jack Gladstone, a member of the Pikuni-Blackfeet Tribe, will be the first guest of the 2010 Native American Speakers Series at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Gladstone will perform Native songs and share stories on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. in the University Center Annex. Earlier in the day, Gladstone will visit Dr. Jay H. Vest's American Indian History class at 11:30 a.m. and Vest's American Indian Oral Traditions class at 5 p.m. in Old Main Room 231.

The public is welcome to attend all three events during the day free of charge.

Gladstone's performance Wednesday evening is titled "Buckskin Poet Songs." Gladstone is a world-renowned singer, storyteller, songwriter, poet and bridge builder from Montana's Blackfeet Indian Nation.

Gladstone delivers programs nationally on American Indian myth, legend and history.

In a career spanning more than two decades, the versatile performer has produced a dozen original recordings for which he has received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. He is currently in the 25th season of "Native America Speaks," the award-winning lecture series he co-founded for Glacier National Park.

A former college instructor, Gladstone has been featured on both the Travel Channel and in USA Today magazine. He earned a Human Rights Award for Outstanding Community Service from Montana State University.

Since 1997, Gladstone collaborated with Lloyd Maines, Grammy-winning producer of the Dixie Chicks. He was also a key tribal voice providing alternate perspectives of the Lewis and Clark expedition during the recent bicentennial commemoration. In 2004, Gladstone narrated the television award-winning Lewis and Clark film, "Confluence of Time and Courage."

Gladstone headlined programs at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indians in Washington D.C. In the fall of 2008, he traveled as Montana's spokesperson and troubadour for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. As the tree stopped at events across the country and for the nationally-televised lighting ceremony, Gladstone performed the original composition, "Heart of Montana."

Some of Gladstone's honors include:

Grammy Music Awards nomination in 2000 for Best Folk Album for "Buffalo; Republic," (2000) and again for "Tappin' the Earth's Backbone" (2003); Native American Music Awards nominee for "Buffalo Republic," "Tappin' the Earth's Backbone" and "Blackfeet Storysmith" (2006); American Indian Interpretation Association Award; "Excellence in Interpretation of Native Culture" (1998); National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Hall of Fame Award for his contributions to the arts (1995); and "Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year," nominee (1994).

Gladstone is a graduate of the University of Washington, where he played football. In 1978, he played in the Rose Bowl game. He earned a bachelor's degree in speech communications.

The speaker series continues with MariJo Moore (Cherokee/Irish/Dutch) Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Mary Livermore Library; Joy Harjo (Mvskoke), Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in Moore Hall Auditorium; Philip Red Eagle (Salish/Dakota) Thursday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the library; and Malinda Maynor Lowery (Lumbee) Tuesday, April 13, also in the library.